The organizers of the forthcoming show in Las Vegas (June 7-9) said that in 2013-2014, US consumers may begin to see alcoholic drinks touted as enhanced/healthy, as more producers add vitamins and all-natural ingredients.
Kim Jage, marketing and sales director, Healthy Beverage Expo, gave the example of wine infused with botanicals, which had been manufactured in China for at least the last century.
Some people believe that these kinds of alcoholic drink, sometimes instilled with fresh items like goji berries and ginseng, are beneficial to the body.
Jage said: “We will see healthier alcohol in all forms with less calories and more organic options, with many announcing their non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) status.
“For example, Gizmo Beverages is launching a line of premium cocktail beverages with fresh ingredients.”
Brain health, bone health, healthy energy…
Another key trend identified by the Healthy Beverage Expo organizers includes beverages with ‘More Function’, where powerful ingredients are combined to create ‘two for one’ beverages.
“We’ll see drinks touting brain health and bone health, as well as ‘healthy’ energy drinks,” Jage said.
She predicted that more drinks would combine coconut and fruit (such as Mulberry Love), as well as more waters with electrolytes but no artificial flavors, such as Nestlé Waters North America’s Resource Spring Water.
“Also, watch for healthy ready-to-drink beverages that add essential fatty acids, such as omega-3s, as in Omega Infusion,” Jage added.
Jage also believes that more natural sweeteners and flavorings could dramatically affect the soft drinks business, as “new sweeteners shave off calories and maintain taste”.
“And we bet that the days of drinking sugary drinks full of high fructose corn syrup are coming to an end. The beginning of the end will be more noticeable in 2013-2014,” she added.
‘Gastronomically seasoned beverages’
Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert, a Healthy Beverage Expo advisory board member, said: “Sweeteners like monk fruit will quickly penetrate the market in beverage applications, and, I predict, overtake stevia.”
Healthy Beverage Expo also forecasts the emergence of functional beverages for under-18s (healthy wake-me-ups and relaxants), and ‘gastronomically seasoned beverages’ (with sea salt, ginger, turmeric) as consumers turn to bolder flavors.
Another trend is prediction is for healthy, better-tasting RTD coffees (low calorie, enhanced, all natural), while Jage predicts that ‘healthy and simple’ lemonade beverages will see a surge in 2013-2014.
“This year, we will all be reminded of the health benefits of pure lemons – high in antioxidants, aids digestion, rich in dietary fiber,” she said.
“As our meals in 2013-2014 incorporate richer flavors and spices,”Jage added, lemonade’s sour profile will refresh our palate and…detox our body.”